5 Ways West Ham Can Avoid Relegation

4. Buy Some Strikers

This may seem like simplistic advice, but with only 13 goals at less than a goal a game, it is pretty clear where West Ham's problems lie. Six of those goals came in two games against Tottenham and Fulham, so in the 13 other games, only seven were scored. Allardyce has been operating with his hands tied for the majority of the season. All the eggs went in Andy Carroll's basket after a decent loan spell last season, but the £15 million man is yet to play this season, since making his stay a permanent one. This led to Allardyce coming crawling back to Carlton Cole, having released the frontman at the end of last season. Cole's short-term deal ends in January, and Modibo Maiga has been a huge flop since his signing 18 months ago. Mladen Petric is also yet to score this season. For long periods of this season, Allardyce has operated without a striker. This worked shockingly well against Tottenham, with the Hammers stealing a 3-0 win, earning their manager the title 'Allerdici' for what was at the time deemed a brave tactical move. The success has not been repeated however, and he must surely strengthen next month. With former West Ham favourite Demba Ba out of the first-team picture at Chelsea, it is definitely worth a cheeky loan bid to try and tempt the Senegalese international back to Upton Park. Ba already plays his football in London, and ever since Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge there has been endless speculation regarding the forward's future. More importantly for West Ham, Ba would compliment Carroll perfectly, with the pace and finishing ability a potentially exciting contrast with Carroll's aerial threat and ball-playing skills. Such a forward line would take the pressure off West Ham's other struggling forwards, if the duo could stay fit.